Hey all,
First time poster, longtime (well since I bought my 380) reader.

I've had my 2006 380 SX for a month or so, and am noticing a couple of things that are mildly concerning.

Firstly, there is a distinct rattle when I reverse the vehicle out of a driveway - sounds like it's coming from the boot area, but nothing appears to be loose. The sound is reminiscient of a bag full of wire coat hangers being shuffled - but is not that loud.

Secondly, there is quite a fast 'ticking' noise when the vehicle is idling - again not loud, but more noticable when I've been driving it fairly hard.

Thirdly, the brakes squeak quite noticably when the vehicle is brought to a standstill, most commonly not long after starting, but also when braking from high speeds (off the freeway).

I'm probably just like a new mother who gets worried about every noise her child makes, but the readers here are very knowledgable and might be able to help!

The car has done just over 84000 - ex Water Department of Ballarat (or something similar) company car.

Cam

Check the underbody around the rear wheels....I ran over a bush a while back and it flared the wrong way when I reversed and was worried too.

Your probably a series 1, the ticking will probably be the fuel injectors.

I've mentioned it in other threads but i seem to recall that there was a service to the fuel rail to improve the down force to the injectors themselves.

With the brakes, i did my pads with a harder compound cause I push it quite...err...hard.

Actually Series II, but thanks for the reply!

C

Yeah my brakes were nasty when I bought ours(57k),dealer told me it was the metallic pads and glazed discs that cause the squeeling if the car is driven sedately all the time.It seemed fine once there was a bit of heat in the brakes but always lousy when cold,anyway,10k later and the brakes hardly ever make a noise anymore.I guess if you want it gone straight away then a disc machine and a new set of pads are in order.

Hey all,
First time poster, longtime (well since I bought my 380) reader.

I've had my 2006 380 SX for a month or so, and am noticing a couple of things that are mildly concerning.

Firstly, there is a distinct rattle when I reverse the vehicle out of a driveway - sounds like it's coming from the boot area, but nothing appears to be loose. The sound is reminiscient of a bag full of wire coat hangers being shuffled - but is not that loud.

Secondly, there is quite a fast 'ticking' noise when the vehicle is idling - again not loud, but more noticable when I've been driving it fairly hard.

Thirdly, the brakes squeak quite noticably when the vehicle is brought to a standstill, most commonly not long after starting, but also when braking from high speeds (off the freeway).

I'm probably just like a new mother who gets worried about every noise her child makes, but the readers here are very knowledgable and might be able to help!

The car has done just over 84000 - ex Water Department of Ballarat (or something similar) company car.

Cam

Rattle when reversing:

- double check for anything loose in the boot, especially the spare tyre lock down nut, the jack handle (in its little bag) and the jack itself (in its compartment on the RHS)
- if none of these, get it up on a hoist and check that all rear suspension nuts & bolts are done up tight, I had a problem caused by the rear sway bar 'tie end' nuts being loose.

Ticking noise at idle:

- seems to be common on many 380s, most likely leaking injector bottom seals, plenty of posts here about this problem. Easy dealer fix but seems some dealers disagree with the diagnosis, relatively easy DIY job if you're at all handy with the spanners.
- after 84,000k could possibly be noisy lash adjusters (AKA tappets or hydraulic lifters), common to most Mitsu engines, but not usually until after 100,000k.

Squeaky brakes:

- again, common 380 problem, caused by standard front pads glazing up very easilly. Best fix is replace the pads with less noisy ones, Bendix General CT are good if you're not a boy racer, plenty of posts on here about this.

KJ

I would def have Mr Mitsi have a look at the noise in the rear end. Could be a number of things including sway bar, but not being able to hear the noise makes it very difficult to diagnose. It would still be under warranty so hit them up for that as well as the injector seals whilst you are in there. My one makes the ticking but only when cold. +1 KJ on the brakes as well. I am about to put the GCT's in after 85,000km on original. They must be pretty hard to last that long and being an ex company car may have had a flogging. Do you notice any warpage of the rotors under braking? You may notice it more easily under lighter sustained braking going down hill. If so pop in and get all 4 rotors done and go the GCTs. You will notice a big difference. If you are not sure how to bed your brakes in, ask them too. It is pretty easy. Better still just google it !!

Awesome replies thanks fellas - love your work!

there is a distinct rattle when I reverse the vehicle out of a driveway - sounds like it's coming from the boot area, but nothing appears to be loose. The sound is reminiscient of a bag full of wire coat hangers being shuffled - but is not that loud.


Its weird how its only happening in reverse? My guess it could be the heatshield around the muffler. Mine is currently needs the bolts tightened up as its making a rattling noise when I close the right hand side back door. It doesnt make a noise in reverse though. Gently bang around the bumper where the muffler is and around the wheel arch to see if you can make the rattle occur?

Its weird how its only happening in reverse? My guess it could be the heatshield around the muffler. Mine is currently needs the bolts tightened up as its making a rattling noise when I close the right hand side back door. It doesnt make a noise in reverse though. Gently bang around the bumper where the muffler is and around the wheel arch to see if you can make the rattle occur?


Yeah it's a weird one - it's actually most noticeable when I reverse out of my driveway and roll over the curb - the rattle goes for maybe a second and disappears. Don't really hear it under normal driving conditions.

Have some time off next week so I'll wander down and see wat they think.